Psychology of gestures and facial expressions. The language of facial expressions and gestures of a person

Physiognomy is a science that studies the reflection of the psychological characteristics and emotions of a person on his face.

In the modern world, people are increasingly interested in psychology and study books on the study of techniques that help to reveal the inner content of their interlocutor.

Facial expressions, gestures, posture that a person takes during communication, much more accurately convey the real thoughts and feelings of the opponent. Knowing how to read them, you can easily determine what a person is thinking about and how much he is disposed towards you. And if you use knowledge correctly, you can adapt to a person and achieve what you want from him.

Psychology of gestures

1.Protection

In case of danger or unwillingness to show his inner state, a person tries to hide from everyone, instinctively closing himself off from the outside world. This can be seen in the arms on the chest or in the “foot to foot” position. When a person takes such a pose, then there can be no talk of any open feelings, he does not trust his interlocutor and does not want him to climb into his space.

An additional barrier in communication can be an object that the interlocutor holds in front of him, for example, a folder or papers. He sort of withdraws from the dialogue, keeps his distance.

Clenched hands into fists speak of the combat readiness of the opponent to enter into an open conflict and it is better not to provoke this person.

2. Openness and predisposition

Often these gestures are used by managers or trainers to inspire confidence in the client.

When speaking, a person gesticulates smoothly with his hands, open palms up, or connects his fingers at a small distance from the chest, in the form of a dome. All this speaks of the openness of a person, that he is ready for dialogue, he does not hide anything and wants to finish off the interlocutor's predisposition to himself.

The fact that a person is relaxed at the moment is evidenced by the unbuttoned upper buttons on the clothes, the inclination towards the interlocutor during communication.

3. Boredom

Such gestures are intended to convey information about the lack of interest in the conversation, and perhaps it is time for you to move the conversation to another topic, or end it altogether.

Boredom is indicated by shifting from one foot to another, a hand supporting the head, tapping the foot on the floor, looking at the situation in the area.

4. Interest

When showing sympathy for the opposite sex, women, for example, adjust their makeup, hairstyle, sort out a lock of hair, shake their hips when walking, there is a sparkle in their eyes, a directed long look when talking with an interlocutor.

5. Uncertainty

The doubts of the interlocutor can be said by sorting out an object in the hands or fingers between themselves, a person rubs his neck, sorts out a piece of clothing.

6. Lie

Sometimes a person talks very confidently about something and seems to be true, but intuition tells us that there is a catch somewhere. A person, when lying, subconsciously rubs his nose, earlobe, may even close his eyes for a while. Thus, he himself tries to isolate himself from this information by transmitting signals to you.

Some children cover their mouths when they lie in an attempt to stop the lies. Growing up and gaining experience, they can veil this gesture with a cough.

Psychology of facial expressions

1. Joy, happiness

The eyebrows are relaxed, the corners of the lips and cheeks are raised, small wrinkles appear in the corners of the eyes.

2. Irritation, anger

The eyebrows are brought to the center or pubescent, tense, the mouth is closed, and stretched out into a single straight line. The corners of the lips look down.

3. Contempt

The eyes are slightly narrowed, the corner of the mouth is slightly raised on one side, the lips are frozen in a smirk.

4. Surprise

The eyes are rounded and slightly bulging, the eyebrows are raised, the mouth is open, as if it wants to say the letter "o".

5. Fear

The eyelids are raised along with the eyebrows, the eyes are wide open.

6. Sadness, grief

Empty look, extinct. The eyes and eyelids are lowered, wrinkles form between the eyebrows, the lips are relaxed, the corners look down.

7. Disgust

The upper lip is tense and raised, the eyebrows are practically joined together, the cheeks are slightly lifted up, the nose is wrinkled.

Of course, this is only a small part of the gestures of facial expressions, the rest can be studied independently by reading books on physiognomy. Psychology is a very interesting science that never ceases to amaze with its discoveries in the field of the study of people.

In the modern world, body language and facial expressions are as important as verbal communication, which is why their interpretation is of great importance. The use of various gestures and facial expressions in communication is called "non-verbal communication" - these are distinct body movements, gestures used by a person, also with the help of various objects. Psychologists believe that only seven percent of information is transmitted through speech, and 59% through body language. From this it turns out that HOW a person says is much more important than WHAT he says.

Often a person does not focus on the expression of his face and his own gestures, and they are not just a reflection of our perception of incoming information, but can also influence the interlocutor. For these reasons, body language has become so widespread among politicians and big businessmen. Skillfully resorting to it, you can achieve the interest of partners, effectively present a service, product, project, achieve the signing of lucrative contracts, make the audience carefully follow your performance ... But also understanding what lies behind a certain gesture can be useful in personal, intimate relationships. . A complex of clear visible signs (posture, gaze direction, presence of objects in hands, facial expression) will make it possible to assume what the other person really feels and tell about their intentions. It is worth understanding the meanings and remembering the main signals that the body gives, and using them correctly for more effective interaction and communication with people.

Instead of a thousand words

Often, when communicating with people, we ourselves and our interlocutors give a lot of subtle and very significant signals. These gestures are perceived by our counterparts unconsciously and are fraught with a lot of useful information. It will be possible to interpret this information after getting acquainted with the sign language.

If you decide to study body language, learn to "read" a person, analyzing the gestures and facial expressions of your interlocutors, you should remember that the same gesture can be interpreted in different ways. Interpretation is influenced by the general background and essence of the conversation. Also, one should not forget that the same gestures from residents of different countries have their own different interpretations.

Understanding non-verbal communications during communication will allow you to "read" the opponent, to understand how the interlocutor perceived what he heard, to know his opinion even before it is voiced. With knowledge in this area of ​​the human subconscious, you will be able to correct your behavior in time to achieve the desired outcome when communicating with other people.

Common facial expressions and gestures

Key communicative gestures, like human facial expressions, do not differ too much in different countries. The one who is happy and satisfied smiles, the one who is sad frowns, a person in a fit of rage and anger also has his own distinctive facial expressions. A very clear example of a universally valid, universally accepted gesture is a shrug of the shoulders. It is understandable to all peoples and means misunderstanding.

Non-verbal signs perfectly reflect what place a given person occupies in society, the degree of his upbringing and occupation. Given the above, it is extremely important to know and use sign language so that you can always present yourself in a favorable light.

Many people do not know where to put their hands when talking. The first thing to do is learn to keep your hands calm(do not tap your fingers, do not fiddle with objects in your hands, do not scratch the bridge of your nose or the back of your head, etc.). In any communication, it is highly desirable to keep gestures to a minimum. It is permissible to use only the most simple and universal movements that accompany phrases used when meeting or in secular communication.

Mimic. Reading from the face

Even if a person manages to lie with the help of words, none of us is capable of completely controlling body language.

Mimicry is a mirror of feelings and partly thoughts of a person. From the expression on a person's face, you can understand everything that is going on in his soul. Understanding facial expressions will help you achieve rapport when communicating with each other.

So, wide-open eyes, raised eyebrows and downturned corners of the mouth are a sign that a person is surprised; frowning forehead, frowning eyebrows, squinting eyes and tightly closed lips are a clear sign that the opponent is angry. “Faded” eyes, eyebrows brought together, lowered corners of the mouth testify to sadness and sadness, and the serene expression of the eyes and a barely noticeable smile, on the edge of the lips, are clear evidence that the person is currently satisfied and happy.

No wonder they say: the eyes are the mirror of our soul. And indeed, it is they who are endowed with the greatest expressiveness on their faces. A look can convey the whole variety of semantic information: irony, fear, joy, happiness, surprise, confusion - the whole spectrum of human emotions.

Of course, the science of sign language is very multifaceted and voluminous to fit in one article, so we will consider and interpret only the most common non-verbal signals that we encounter in everyday communication.

Protective gestures

With obvious antipathy and acute distrust of the interlocutor, a feeling of discomfort or danger, any of us at the subconscious level will seek to protect ourselves, "close" from the negative factor. Be sure to pay attention if your counterpart moves away or puts up a “barrier” designed to separate you in the form of his bag or a stack of papers, sits “cross-legged” or crosses his arms over his chest. Apparently, a pleasant and constructive dialogue between you will not work - your interlocutor experiences a feeling of discomfort and is unconsciously set to repel the attack. Also, clenched fists are another of the non-verbal signs with a pronounced negative connotation.

Gestures showing respect

There are actually not so many “respectful” gestures showing the respectful attitude of the interlocutor towards you. The most characteristic of these gestures is the handshake. A respectful handshake provides for the one-time handshake by the interlocutors. At the same time, the hand is extended, the handshake itself is usually long. If a man gives a hand to a woman when leaving the transport, this is also a gesture of respect. Another common gesture is a welcoming tilt of the head.

Gestures of location and openness

As opposed to defensive ones, there are gestures that show the openness of the interlocutor, his certain trust in what he saw or heard. You can understand that a person is open and disposed towards you by a free, slightly relaxed posture. If the interlocutor unbuttons the top buttons of his clothes, leans slightly forward towards the interlocutor, shows open palms when gesturing, straightens his legs or joins his fingers into a “dome” - all this testifies to the sincerity of the interlocutor. If you notice these signals, you can be sure that it is easy and pleasant for the interlocutor to conduct a dialogue with you, and you can get the desired result from meeting and talking with him.

boredom gestures

The gestures described below make it possible to understand that the interlocutor is not interested and he is bored, which means that it is necessary to change the topic of the conversation or end the conversation altogether. To understand that your interlocutor has become bored and there is a need to change the topic of the conversation or end the conversation, it is enough to know a few rules of sign language. The fact that your counterpart is bored is evidenced by constant glancing at the clock or phone, examining the situation, an absent-minded look, yawning, small movements of the hands (tapping, sorting out objects), stamping the foot, and the like.

Gestures showing concern and interest

Being in the company of an interesting pleasant interlocutor, a person will give special signs signaling sympathy. Women, communicating with a pleasant man, straighten their hair or clothes, “play” with curls, shake their hips, stroke their shoulders or knees. They are distinguished by a penetrating and long look directed at a man, and a “light” appears in the eyes. Read the full list of female sexual signals.

Men, when communicating with a woman they like, usually pull themselves up, straighten their backs, while straightening their shoulders, straighten their clothes and hair.

Gestures of doubt

Being able to read the non-verbal cues in this category will come in handy to provide the reasons and additional arguments the other person needs to make the decision you're looking for. Psychologists say that a person who is not confident in the interlocutor or in making any decision rubs the tip of his nose, scratches his eyes, rubs his neck, interlaces his fingers in a lock, and in general his fingers “behave restlessly”: they tap, twist something teasing...

Gestures of submission and superiority

A raised chin, shoulders straightened, hands closed behind the back, when shaking hands, the opponent puts the palm on top (gives you a hand palm down), hands tucked into the front pockets of clothing, and thumbs outside - all these are clear signs that your counterpart feels internal dominance. A clear sign of superiority and even aggression - the opponent sits on a chair "on horseback". When you see that a person is trying to appear lower than he really is (stoops, sits down, if you remain standing, tilts his head), his feet look inward, you must understand that he recognizes the superiority of the interlocutor. If your counterpart blinks frequently, this betrays his confusion and inner desire to defend himself.

Facial expression (facial expression)

The fact that a person is positive is eloquently indicated by such factors as a calm expression of the eyes, a barely noticeable smile with some corners of the lips, and frowning eyebrows, detachment in the eyes and the corners of the mouth down - a clear sign that the person is sad and in a bad mood . A sign of interest is slightly raised eyebrows and wider than usual open eyes, and if the interlocutor has a slightly open mouth, this is a sure sign of surprise. If the interlocutor demonstrates tightly compressed lips, frowning brow arches and dilated nostrils, apparently, he became furious or indignant. If, during a conversation, the face of the interlocutor takes an elongated shape and at the same time raised eyebrows, this indicates a clear disrespect and even contempt.

Every girl is interested in the question of how, with the help of “reading” gestures and interpreting facial expressions, to understand that a man likes you, and maybe even he is in love? To answer this question, it is enough to remember simple signs that will give out a lover in love, including at the stage of the birth of tender feelings.

So, the sure signs of a man's interest are:


People live among people. They communicate, exchange information, share their emotions not only using speech, but also with the help of facial expressions and gestures. The ability of a person to communicate without words is called non-verbal communication. A lot of literature has been written about what the gestures and facial expressions of a person mean, which one way or another we notice in a conversation with each other.

Someone does not particularly attach importance to this, but it is important for someone to understand what is really behind the words. It is important to understand the meaning of human gestures and facial expressions.

Psychologists, doctors, recruiters, investigators, managers - this is not a complete list of professions in which people carefully peer at the interlocutor in the hope of noticing additional information about him. They analyze how the arm lies, where the leg is turned, and try to determine what it matters. It should be added that a man and a woman can use the same gestures in a conversation, the meaning of which can be interpreted in different ways. For example, fixing your hair is a women's movement, the meaning of which is the desire to please. And if a man entered the room, took off his hat and straightened his tousled hair? That is, it is necessary to take into account the circumstances under which these movements are made, and only then interpret their meaning.

How to understand a person by facial expressions and gestures

Even if our type of activity is not related to psychology, probably every educated person has read a popular article, a book, or at least once in his life heard about how to understand a person by gestures and facial expressions. We know the meaning of the position of the hands, the so-called "open" and "closed" postures. The value of the position of the body, which can tell about a person's interest in the conversation, about whether he is located towards the interlocutor.

There is a description of movements and gestures at the moment when a person tells a lie or is very excited. It is believed that if a person crosses his arms in front of him, then this means that he is wary of you.

We are advised to look carefully, observe the interlocutor and watch our movements, so that suddenly we do not say more with our gestures than with words. For example, hands hidden in pockets are an attempt to hide self-doubt. A hand clenched into a fist - concentration of attention, self-affirmation.

And in other sources they write that walking with hands in pockets and “dragging feet” means a hidden character and a depressed state of mind. So how to understand a person by facial expressions and gestures?

The language of human gestures and facial expressions is so diverse that it is difficult to understand which of them matter and which do not. With a detailed examination of the interlocutor, you can acquire the skill of reading facial expressions and gestures.

Over time, even remember their meaning, understand what a person is experiencing at this particular moment, but no more. A real understanding of the peculiarities of the psyche of the people around us is given by the training "Systemic Vector Psychology" by Yuri Burlan. Armed with systemic knowledge, any person acquires the ability to involuntarily understand the desires and actions of other people, decipher their favorite key phrases, gestures and facial expressions and read them like an open book.

Facial expressions and gestures through the prism of System-Vector Psychology

System-vector psychology is an accurate scientific knowledge that reveals the eight-dimensionality of the human psyche. Eight vectors, eight personality types. Each vector has its own name according to the erogenous zone. And it is possible to determine the presence of a particular vector or combination of vectors in a person, including through non-verbal communication. And not only to determine, but also to understand what qualities and properties a person possesses. What are his habits, desires, what is his sexuality.


Owners of the skin vector very often use a gesture - a raised index finger up or threateningly shake the index finger. In general, the movements of a person with a skin vector in a developed state are particularly accurate.

The gait is fast, in a crowd of people he will never collide with a passerby, he will skillfully maneuver, cutting corners, saving time and distance. He is athletic, flexible, fit. The owner of the skin vector in an undeveloped or poor condition is also visible. It is he who will drop everything on the go, will make many unnecessary movements, and in a stressful state will begin to flicker. It is better not to mess with such a person - he is late everywhere, brings confusion, does not keep his promises. Drumming fingers on the table or jerking his leg. Tendentious features of facial expressions of the kozhnik are thin pursed lips, an almost disappearing upper lip. He is distinguished by fast speech, short phrases. Can generally speak and write in abbreviations, abbreviate words. In a state of non-realization in his speech, we can hear the words “no” and “no” too often. Questions asked of him may be answered reluctantly, evasively, or with a question after a question. Nothing about himself, everything will be asked about others.

In his speech, we can hear rational questions: “Why do you need this? What it will bring to you?" Benefit-benefit is what drives such a person. Any action must be either beneficial to his personal health or beneficial to his well-being. The first question of the skinner: “How much does it cost? How much did you buy it for?" Economy is the species role of the owner of the skin vector. In an underdeveloped state, he saves everything for himself: time, cutting off the path to the bus stop, food in his own refrigerator, light in his apartment, words in conversation. The developed properties of the skin vector contribute to the fact that it begins to save for others. Designs bridges over rivers or airports, saving everyone time and space. That is why the words “benefit-benefit” are key, according to them we understand what kind of person is in front of us and what properties of the psyche he has.

famous anal vector

The main characteristic gesture of the representatives of the anal vector is rubbing the palms together or shaking the fist. The speech of such people is unhurried, very detailed and with a lot of details and details. It is not recommended to interrupt such a person, he will stop, look reproachfully at you and start his story again. "BUT" is a mandatory word in the speech of a person with an anal vector. In any barrel of honey, he is looking for a fly in the ointment. In a developed state, he becomes an expert in his field, bringing it to the ideal. Analyzes and brings to perfection, eliminating the slightest inaccuracies and shortcomings.

In this case, his “but” is a search for a fly in the ointment for improvement, for the ideal state of everything that the owner of the anal vector touches.


If a person with great delays in development and unrealized in his qualities and properties, then in his speech the words of the so-called "toilet vocabulary" will often sound. He will criticize and dirty everything. Favorite topic of conversation - "where are we going." He is prone to nostalgia: "before, the grass was greener, and people were better." Also, the marker of an anal person are the words: “only no offense”, “I didn’t offend you”, “just don’t be offended.” Resentment is a property of the psyche of only a person with an anal vector.

He is distrustful, and this distrust is manifested in the words "I know you" or "you will not fool me." Being a real man is very important for him, so he seeks to emphasize his masculinity by growing a mustache and beard. In the speech, he also emphasizes: “Well, I’m a man, a man said - a man did.”

The gait of such people cannot be called easy, they walk with a heavy gait, but always straight. If you have chosen the path, then you will not turn off it for anything. Will not maneuver among pedestrians. He goes straight, and he himself is a straight man.

People out of this world

Facial expressions, gestures, speech - their manifestation or absence in a person speaks volumes, helping to reveal the human psyche. The owners of the sound vector are people "not of this world." Deeply immersed in yourself, you can see it in your eyes.

They are in themselves and the gaze is turned inward, which is manifested by the absence of facial expressions. They prefer silence, and if they have to speak, the voice is barely audible, they need time to answer to switch from focusing on themselves, so after you ask questions, the answer will follow in a couple of seconds: “Huh? What? Are you talking to me?" They pause, sometimes the phrases are fragmentary, some were said, and some remained in the head. Sometimes you may notice that during a conversation they cover their eyes.

Very often in their speech there is a pronoun "I". Live communication may prefer communication via the Internet and instant messengers. You will recognize the owner of the sound vector by the keyword "silence". Knowing these features and having knowledge of system-vector psychology, you can easily say that the owner of the sound vector is an introvert and an absolute egocentric. He is busy with knowing himself, searching for the meaning of life and spiritual search. You will never meet him in a noisy company; he will always prefer silence and solitude to fun. Night is his time, but not for an unbridled party, but for silence and loneliness. The state of absolute comfort for the sound engineer is silence.

He is also the owner of an ideal musical ear. In life, the owner of the sound vector realizes himself as a musician, composer and opera singer, philosopher, theologian, poet, programmer, physicist.

The meaning of gestures and facial expressions of a human leader

Owners of the urethral vector can be found not so often. Even without knowledge of system-vector psychology, you will not forget meeting such a person. His behavior will forever remain in your memory. And the meaning of his gestures and facial expressions will retain a strong impression for a long time.


Gestures and movements are swift, wide, on a large scale. The owner of the urethral vector does not enter, but flies into the room. They say about such people: “It goes, and under it the asphalt melts.” A wide smile is almost always present on his face, a dynamic look. Open shirt on the chest. He is always hot - hot blooded. The reaction is always lightning fast.

Having noticed such vivid gestures and facial expressions, having systemic knowledge, you can characterize the mental and physical state. You will know how to behave with such a person and what to expect from him. Such a person from birth has inner freedom. It cannot be limited in any way. For him, there is no word “no”, there are no restrictions even where they should be. He is always on the rise in everything. Therefore, if alcohol or drugs appear in the life of the urethral, ​​then he becomes an inveterate drunkard or dies from an overdose. Pride is the inability to move backward, only forward. He does not know how to give up or lose, it is better to die. In addition, he does not recognize any authorities, he is an authority for himself. A brave man, a source of new ideas and a leader who unites the pack - these are just some of the characteristics of the urethral vector.

Facial expressions and gestures inherent in people with olfactory vector

The number of people with an olfactory vector is only 1%. We can say, a rare type of people. It is extremely difficult to spot him. He is unremarkable. When an olfactory person enters or leaves a room, no one notices how and when he did it. Turned away and he's gone. Turned around, and he stands and looks at you with a gaze. In clothes, he prefers gray, inconspicuous color. You won't see much gesture. Facial features are frozen, inexpressive. However, there is something in his appearance that distinguishes him from everyone. On the face, you can notice the displeased grimace "the face of an old maid." His gaze is attentive, penetrating, prickly, piercing and frightening.

The look of such a person on an unconscious level causes fear. Tendentiously, he has a large nose and a sloping chin. The speech of such a person is illegible, slurred, it is difficult to hear him, and everything he says will be ambiguous. The owner of the olfactory vector is not inclined to demonstrate both the joy of life and a bad mood. He unconsciously "feels" the state and thoughts of people, therefore, on his face is a mask of constant disgust.

People who can "speak" with their eyes

The owners of the visual vector are people whose facial expressions and gestures are very pronounced. The emotional amplitude is huge, and the whole palette of emotions is visible on their beautiful face. Large, wide-open eyes, framed by fluffy eyelashes. Eye to eye conversation is a common way of communication for them.

Even getting off the bus, tapping on the shoulder of the person in front, they will certainly try to look into the eyes, asking: “Man, are you getting out?” It is also said about the owners of the visual vector that they have "smart" eyes. A bright extrovert, demonstrative personality, it is difficult to imagine such a person without gestures and facial expressions. The speech of such a person is beautiful, literate, breathy.

Often uses the words “how beautiful”, “look”, “imagine”, “terrible”, “terribly beautiful”.

System-vector psychology makes it possible to see the inner content, that is, the human psyche, behind external manifestations. The owners of the visual vector are kind, sympathetic, empathetic, amorous. They have a well developed imagination. The most trainable and observant, not a single small detail escapes their attentive gaze. They also have conscientiousness and modesty. They say about them: "they make an elephant out of a fly." tend to exaggerate. They feel this way, with all their huge emotional amplitude they experience any situation. Here is a far from complete list of the qualities and properties of the human psyche with a visual vector.

Conclusion from all that has been said

Undoubtedly, when we read gestures and facial expressions of a person, non-verbal signals are of great importance. They give our communication a special color, make it lively and interesting. And if you have knowledge of system-vector psychology, seeing the full picture of the mental state of others, anyone can learn perfect communication. With systemic knowledge, communication will become easy and predictable, as the person will be clear to you from the first words and gestures. After all, it’s not for nothing that they say: “Happiness is when you are understood.” After the training "Systemic Vector Psychology" by Yuri Burlan, you will easily understand people.

“... Each of us at least once in our lives dreamed of becoming or being at least a little X-ray person, that is, to see people through and through, to know what is in their heads, what their state of health is, what they think, what they have done, what their true face and sexual preferences.

Sherlock Holmes, psychics, shamans, yogis, Don Juan Carlos Castaneda and other fictional X-ray people, with the example of their abilities of all-penetrating vision, beheaded hundreds of millions of people. Some only dreamed of becoming an X-ray person, others tried, and still others became.

I think that those who study the System-Vector Psychology of Yuri Burlan have every chance of becoming a person-rent. I spent about 90 hours on lectures online and I don’t regret it for a second…” May 29, 2018

Man is such an interesting creature that all manifestations of his essence, personality and feelings are perceived with interest. Facial expressions, for example, can tell a lot of interesting details about people, even if they themselves are silent. Gestures are also capable of betraying someone else's state. Watching people, you can learn a lot of interesting details that will help you deal with the truth or lies, emotions, mood and other features of others. The psychology of facial expressions is truly extensive. To study it fully, one article and even a book is not enough. Nevertheless, some rules and tips will help you learn at least elementary psychological "tricks" for use in the future.

General information and definitions

Physiognomy is the art of reading a person by his external signs, in particular by his face, his expression, features and facial expressions. It is possible to determine both internal qualities and some psychological data, as well as the state of health. This method cannot be called completely scientific, but many people are interested in it very seriously because of its certain validity.

Mimicry is a facial expression in which a person gives out his inner feelings, experiences, and other spiritual qualities.

Gestures are body movements, most often with the hand/hands, accompanying or replacing the words of the individual making them.

Posture is the position of the body. A person sits, stands or lies as he likes / convenient / comfortable for him.

Gestures, postures, facial expressions - all this plays an important role in people's lives. Not a single person can do without them, and therefore, if you learn to recognize them correctly, then life will become easier and more interesting. Facial expressions and gestures in communication are used everywhere and automatically, not everyone is able to control them. Thanks to this, more observant and attentive individuals have the opportunity to study people.

Face and facial expressions

What best tells about a person? Of course, the face. It is it that is able to give out a person with giblets when he experiences some kind of emotion, reacts to something, lies or tells the truth, etc. The facial expression language is rich and varied. It can be difficult to remember absolutely everything, but the elementary features of sincere joy, for example, or disappointment, can be kept in memory. And also learn to hide your own feelings.

Despite the fact that facial expressions and gestures of a person are closely interconnected, they will be considered separately. So let's go.

Reactions

The facial expressions of a person's face manifest themselves in different ways, and most often it can be seen in human emotions. The latter, in turn, are shown in reactions. Depending on their manifestation, you can find out what a person experiences from the information received. The difficulty lies in the fact that some are afraid, others do not want, and still others are embarrassed to show their own emotions. Because of this, you will have time to notice a quick, involuntary reaction that appears very first. Often, it is almost impossible to completely control it, especially for an unprepared person. Therefore, it is possible to determine the interlocutor, which he will most likely remove from his face in seconds, if you act quickly and extremely carefully.

Emotions

So let's continue. As mentioned just above, facial expressions in communication are manifested through the expression of emotions emanating from the reaction. Below are the most striking and significant of them, as well as ways to express them:

  • Joy happiness. The eyebrows and lips are relaxed, the corners of the latter are raised on both sides, the cheeks are also raised, and there are small wrinkles in the corners of the eyes.
  • Anger, irritation. The eyebrows are tense, brought together and lowered, the mouth is tightly closed. Often the teeth are brought together, as are the lips, the corners of which look down in anger or strong discontent.
  • Contempt. smirk. The corner of the mouth on one side is raised and a slight squint is visible in the eyes.
  • Astonishment. The lips and face are generally relaxed, the eyes are rounder than usual, the eyebrows are raised, and the mouth is parted.
  • Fear. The eyebrows and upper eyelids are raised, and the lower ones are tense, like the whole face as a whole, the eyes are wide open.
  • Sadness, chagrin. Slightly lowered upper eyelids and raised eyebrows, relaxed lips with corners looking down, as well as an empty, extinct look.
  • Disgust. The upper lip is tense and raised, the eyebrows are brought together, forming a small fold, and slightly lowered, the cheeks also slightly rise up, and the nose is slightly wrinkled.

Among other things, pictures will help to deal with emotions. The facial expressions on them are depicted well, which clearly demonstrates the inner feelings and experiences of the depicted people. Smilies, by the way, are also not in vain invented. Often, their facial expressions are not bad, which is why they are in demand when trying to convey emotions via the Internet. After all, communication here mainly takes place in letters, which do not always succeed in conveying the sensations experienced at one time or another.

Human condition

Sometimes it is enough to observe people a little to see what they are. Facial expressions affect a person, and not only “one-time”, but for life. The brighter your interlocutor showed himself, the more you can find out about him.

Smart people most often have a large forehead. This does not mean that their knowledge is great in everything. Sometimes it happens that a person knows a lot of information in one area, but is completely ignorant in another. If your friend has a big forehead, but shows no signs of special intelligence, he may simply not have found his business yet.

Brilliant eyes and a lively look mean a person's passion for someone / something. Usually this happens with curious kids who are interested in everything in the world. On the contrary, if a person’s gaze is dull and indifferent, it means that his state is depressed, perhaps close to depression.

If a lot of wrinkles appear in the corners of the eyes when laughing, this means that the person is kind, cheerful and cheerful.

Bitten lips indicate that a person likes to think and is most often nervous when making a decision. Sometimes people automatically begin to act in this way right in front of the interlocutor, because they cannot decide something.

A firm, developed chin (often square) shows a person's strong will. Since people, when they achieve their goals (even in an argument), tense the lower part of the face, it begins to develop. With frequent victories, the chin becomes strong and firm, which proves a person’s ability to achieve their goals. Based on this, if the lower part of the face of the interlocutor is soft, weak and undeveloped, it can be assumed that it is easy to break it. He will not go to the end if a serious obstacle appears ahead.

The more various bulges, irregularities, “hollows”, “protrusions”, etc. on the face (sunken cheeks, prominent cheekbones, for example), the more emotional and quick-tempered the person. He is easily able to fall into and vividly and vividly throw out his experiences on those around him.

Gesticulation

Both facial expressions and gestures in communication make it clear what and how a person says:

  • Open palms signify trust and openness. If a person periodically exposes the inside of his hand to you, then he has nothing to hide from you, and he feels good in your society. If the interlocutor constantly hides his hands in his pocket, puts them behind his back, or makes other similar "secret" movements, he is probably not very comfortable. It can be either dislike for you, or guilt / shame for past actions.
  • Hands located at the cheek mean thoughtfulness. Usually at such moments a person thinks hard about something, tries to figure out how to act in this situation, etc.
  • With nervousness or, more likely, self-doubt, a person begins to touch either the neck or objects located on it, such as a pendant, chain, etc. In addition, he may begin to gnaw on the pen.
  • A nod of the head signifies agreement. Sometimes people nod uncontrollably, thus informing on a subconscious level that they like someone else's opinion. Shaking your head, on the contrary, means that the person disagrees with you. Just like nodding, sometimes it happens automatically.

Poses

Open facial expressions and gestures in communication are, of course, good, but we must not forget about the postures of a person that he takes during a conversation:


How to recognize truth and lies by a person

That is why many are interested in the details of our article - everyone wants to know how to read the facial expressions of a person’s face, how to see when they are blatantly lying to you, and when they are telling the honest truth. Some ways to expose a liar are given below, but remember that, perhaps, a liar knows about such tricks for a long time and knows perfectly well, and therefore uses them skillfully and deftly, deceiving others in such a way that

  1. When a person tells a lie, his pupils constrict involuntarily. If you previously managed to notice the initial state of the interlocutor's eyes, then you will understand that he is cunning after the pupils are reduced.
  2. When a person lies, he looks away. This happens due to the fact that he is subconsciously ashamed of the false information that he says.
  3. When a person lies and knows about the previous method, he stares into the eyes. Most often, he is so “flirtatious” that he hardly even blinks. This is also capable of betraying a liar.
  4. The gaze of a lying person moves from one object to another, not dwelling on one thing. Sometimes it's just a sign of nerves, but most often it's a lie.
  5. Due to the compression of the zygomatic muscles, a lying person has a kind of half-smile-half-smirk on his face.
  6. The direction of your gaze will also tell you whether you hear the other person tell you the truth or a lie. If a person looks to the right, most likely, you are presented with a lie, if to the left - the truth. However, this rule is valid on the condition that the speaker is right-handed, otherwise read the other way around.

Features of foreign language of facial expressions and gestures

Not everyone communicates in the same way as we do. Of course, this does not mean human language, but the language of gestures, postures and facial expressions. The list below, with specific countries and incorrect actions, will help you avoid getting into trouble with foreigners.

Asia. Watch your arms and legs. You should not touch someone else's head and hair first, because for Asians this is the most sacred thing in a person. The legs, in turn, also do not need to be dissolved, however, in general. Even an accidental touch (on any part of the body) can cause panic horror, and even anger on the part of Asians. This is because, unlike the head, the legs are considered the “lowest” that is in the human body.

Near East. Giving your thumb up is like kicking someone in the ass. Children, however, often show this gesture, thereby trying to annoy others.

Brazil. The gesture “everything is OK” (the thumb is connected to the index finger, forming a zero, and the remaining fingers stick out “out”) here has about the same meaning as our middle finger.

Venezuela. The gesture “everything is OK” here denotes homosexual affiliation.

Italy. Gesture "Goat" from rock music here denotes treason and bad luck. That is, if you show this sign to someone, you will hint that you consider him a complete sucker, whom the other half is cheating on. In northern Italy, you can't touch your chin either, because that means you're giving the person the middle finger.

Fiji. A handshake is considered a trademark of the republic, which is why you should not be afraid if the interlocutor holds your hand firmly and for a long time in his. This is just a sign of politeness, and it can really last a considerable amount of time, until the end of the conversation.

France. The gesture “everything is OK” here denotes homosexual affiliation, and scratching the chin is the same middle finger.

Conclusion

So, now you know what role facial expressions play in a person’s life, as well as gestures, postures and other physiological features that are difficult to control. Of course, professionals like FSB or FBI agents will not show themselves in delicate situations, but if your environment does not consist of such “cool” acquaintances, then you can always “read” a person and learn a lot about him.

What do you pay attention to when making the first impression of a person? Various options come to mind: clothes, physique, voice timbre, behavior and ... face. Yes, people hold their eyes on it for the longest time. Facial features are a kind of calling card and give out a complete set of a person’s character. Some will doubt this until they remember that the face is made of muscles. And frequently used muscles leave an imprint of lived emotions and feelings on the face.

The face will tell not only about the character - it will reveal the truth if there is a reason to doubt the veracity; will convey real emotions with hypocrisy and, most importantly, the face will not deceive, unlike words. Psychology has made great strides in this direction. Now everyone has the opportunity to develop the ability to understand the non-verbal language of a person.

To learn how to read facial and body signals, first find the answer to the questions - what is facial expressions and how is it related to speech. There is a lot of information on the network on this topic, but not all of it is truthful and exhaustive. In this case, it is better to take lessons from professionals in the field of psychology, so as not to put aside useless garbage in your memory.

It is worth paying attention to the German management coach - Vera Birkenbeel. She has made strides in the field of brain research and has developed lessons from her research.

Her book The Language of Intonation, Mimicry and Gestures was compiled over several years, where Birkenbeel voiced the results of observations and experiments with facial expressions and gestures. Therefore, the book gives a detailed description of the processes that occur with the face and body when a person experiences emotions.

Birkenbeel refers to the definition of facial expressions changes that occur on the face, including psychosomatics, head movement, gaze direction and posture.

In an easy and understandable way, the author lays the foundation for understanding body language: the book is built in the form of a question and answer game. Certain information is given, and then tasks for consolidation. Vera Birkenbeel describes the types of emotions, and then offers to choose a family photo and read the emotions of all family members. So with the help of this book, it will be much easier for beginners to step further and find out what secrets psychology hides.

Facial expressions and gestures in communication

The language of gestures and facial expressions is complex, so one book is not enough to understand it correctly. Often the expression of emotions is mixed - at one moment there is a signal of anger, then joy, and after a second of surprise. So, highlighting a specific emotion, it remains only to guess what the person really felt. Therefore, after studying the basics, you need to learn how to combine all human signals into one.

Consider the main facial emotions that are often present in a conversation:

  • Astonishment. Is a sudden and short emotion. Few people know that surprise is neutral, it does not relate to the definition of joy or sadness. The fact is that a person is affected by the following emotion, which replaces surprise in a split second.

Signs: Emotion affects three parts of the face and differs in external features. The eyes open wide, while the lower eyelid remains relaxed. The lips are slightly parted, and the eyebrows are raised high. Restrained people express surprise only with eyebrows with a neutral face.

  • Fear. A vividly experienced negative emotion that causes changes in the human body. The skin turns pale and covered with sweat, the pulse increases sharply, and the hands tremble. This emotion binds a person and it is difficult for him to move. Fear is draining from the inside, so it cannot be experienced for a long time.

Signs: Eyes open and tense. The lower eyelid is slightly pulled up. The eyebrows are raised, but not as much as in the case of surprise. The lips are tense, and the corners of the lips go down. If only the eyes speak of fear, then the fear is weak or controlled.

  • Disgust. People experience this emotion in different ways. In one, it will cause nausea, and the second will only slightly twist the face. Often disgust is experienced along with anger. Anger appears at something or someone for causing disgust.

Signs: Disgust is mainly transmitted by the nose and mouth - the upper lip is lifted, which leads to a wrinkling of the nose. With strong disgust, the mouth opens, sharply indicating the nasolabial folds and tense cheeks.

  • Anger. Refers to dangerous emotions, because it provokes harm. During outbursts of anger, this emotion overrides the mind, and a person does things that he later regrets. Also, anger affects the somatic processes of the body - the skin turns red, veins stand out on the face and neck, and the body leans towards the offender. The duration of anger depends on self-control. The stronger the internal control, the less time it will take to recover.

Symptoms: Usually all parts of the face are involved. The eyebrows move and form wrinkles on the forehead. The eyes may be squinted or wide open. The mouth is either tightly compressed or tense, as if a person wants to scream.

  • Joy. A positive emotion that people experience pleasure. The meaning of joy is different for everyone and is caused in four cases: Pleasant sensations; relief; improvement; excitation.

Signs: The lips are stretched and the corners are turned up. The cheeks are tense, the nasolabial folds are clearly marked, and wrinkles are formed on the temples.

  • Disappointment. It is caused by three reasons - disappointment, loss and a sense of hopelessness. Runs passively. The face turns pale, the shoulders droop, the head hangs down on the chest, and the lips and cheeks sag under their own gravity. The effect of grief or sadness can last from a few minutes to several years.

Signs: The inner corners of the eyebrows are raised, the eyelids are relaxed, the corners of the mouth are turned down or tremble.

Some human emotions can be intertwined with each other and form mixed. For example, anger can appear simultaneously with sadness and disgust. Then you should pay attention to facial expressions and gestures that appeared last.

Depending on the sincerity of these emotions, there are types of facial expressions:

  • involuntary (caused reflexively);
  • arbitrary (conscious or as an element of art).

Gestures and facial expressions of a man in love

A person who shows sympathy changes facial expressions, gestures, intonations, posture and movement. A man himself does not understand his non-verbal signals of sympathy, but the female nature is very susceptible to them, so the woman is the first to figure out what these signals mean.

  • When a man is next to an attractive woman, his body unconsciously turns in her direction. He wants to look better, so he smoothes his hair, adjusts his watch, adjusts his tie, or brushes non-existent dust particles from his clothes.
  • One of the most striking gestures of sympathy is putting your thumb behind the belt of your trousers to give meaning to your gender. He also emphasizes physical strength in front of a woman, due to the space occupied - he keeps his hands on his hips or stretches his legs forward.
  • In conversation, his intonation will become lower and chestier, and eye contact will increase. Sympathy will also affect facial expressions. A man will smile more often, sometimes even tensely, his eyes will open wider and his lips will open slightly.

Women's psychology is much more complex, so she uses more enticing tricks, ranging from fixing her hair to wiggling her hips and intimate looks.

The series "Lie to me"

For such fans, the scientific series Lie to Me was filmed, based on the research of Professor Paul Ekman. This series is a complex work, where the key thread is the psychology of people and the disclosure of crimes, through the reading of facial expressions and gestures. If you read Paul Ekman's book on Lie Theory, you can better understand what certain points that characterize the series mean.

The main character is sure that the definition of a lie is visible in every person. Based on subtle signs - facial expressions, intonation and gestures, the doctor and assistants help in police investigations. They analyze what the posture, rapid breathing and heart rate say. The series clearly shows what human psychology hides and how to calculate a lie, with the help of careful observation.

The ability to understand facial expressions and gestures will change your life. You will improve relationships with colleagues, become closer to relatives. Learn to distinguish the truth from lies and achieve success on the career ladder. Surprisingly, one in three people do not attach importance to these skills.

Moreover, there are a lot of ways to get information - books, magazines, the Internet, films, documentaries and even TV shows. You don't have to make sacrifices to make life better - open a new page in the book and life will open a new page for you!



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